Slight Problem with Refractometer

[Kgbow]

Got a festive ale on the go right now. Inside the gorgeous Brew monk. However, hit a slight snag. The electronic hydrometer has stopped sending out readings. It did up until about 50 hrs ago. The lights flashing away but, alas, no readings coming through to the app. I presume it's because its foamed right up inside there!?

Now, I took a sample from the tap and read it with the glass hydrometer and the refractometer. The Hydrometer is reading in at 1.016 and the refractometer is at 1.036! The last reading I had from the electronic hydro was 1.033 (over two days ago). Which should I follow? It tastes lovely BTW.

 

[Sunfire96]

https://www.brewersfriend.com/refractometer-calculator/

 

[Herm brews]

Remember that a refractometer sample needs to be corrected when the sample contains alcohol. Likewise, a hydrometer sample needs to be corrected for temperature. I think your hydrometer sample is closer to the actual specific gravity.

 

[Kgbow]

Remember that a refractometer sample needs to be corrected when the sample contains alcohol. Likewise, a hydrometer sample needs to be corrected for temperature. I think your hydrometer sample is closer to the actual specific gravity.

Now that is something I didn't know! Awesome. Thank you so much

 

[Minbari]

I wouldn't trust a refractometer reading with also

Now that is something I didn't know! Awesome. Thank you so much

yup and post fermentation, a refractometer will be wrong. alcohol refracts light differently than water and sugar.

any solution will change density based on temp. to give you an idea. I haul fuel for living. in the summer vs winter. a 7500gal load of diesel will have a net difference of about 150 gal just because of temp change.

 

[Texas Ale Works]

I wouldn't trust a refractometer reading with also

yup and post fermentation, a refractometer will be wrong. alcohol refracts light differently than water and sugar.

any solution will change density based on temp. to give you an idea. I haul fuel for living. in the summer vs winter. a 7500gal load of diesel will have a net difference of about 150 gal just because of temp change.

while I knew this, because I too worked in the Chem/Fuel testing field out of high school, I had forgotten just how big a difference temp plays

 

[Kgbow]

Thanks everyone! I'm back on the old school method for now.

 

[Kgbow]

Finally got a reading on the digital reading. Cleaned the krausen off the top of the digital hydro and it came back with 1.028….. my manual (glass hydro) is reading 1.012…..

what is going on here? Temp is bang on the digital reading. But. SG seems way off! I calibrated it before I set it in the brew. So confused, I’ve no idea what my brew is at now.

OG - 1.063. Started last Thursday.

 

[Minbari]

I would trust the hydrometer. Clean the electronic one and check the cal in clear water.

What kind of electronic is it

 

[Zambi]

Yep
I would trust hydro as well.
But, don't worry so much about it. The beer is just doing it's own thing. The real important thing is to know if the gravity is still moving. Moving gravity equals active yeast, so you'll have to wait longer